Obituaries

Evelyn (Evie) Fitzgibbons

May 29, 2013

ESTHERVILLE - Mass of Christian Burial for Evelyn (Evie) Fitzgibbons, 89, of Estherville will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2013, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Estherville with Monsignor Michael Sernett as Celebrant and Father Al Grendler as Co-Celebrant. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday at Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville with Vigil Service at 7 p.m. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Estherville.

She died Tuesday afternoon, May 28, 2013, at Arbor Springs, West Des Moines, from complications of Alzheimer's Disease.

Evie was born April 3, 1924, in Fort Dodge to Walter E. and Ursula Ennis Murray. She was a 1942 graduate of University High in Iowa City, where she was active in numerous academic endeavors as well as excelling as the president of the French Club. Following high school, Evie attended two years at St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and then completed her education at the University of Iowa, graduating in 1947. Following graduation, she was employed at the University of Iowa Hospitals during which time, at the Newman Catholic Center, she met an ambitious young University of Iowa law student from Armstrong, a Notre Dame graduate, named Francis Fitzgibbons. Evie and Fran were married on Oct. 8, 1949, in Iowa City, and thereafter made their home in Estherville for more than 50 years. For the past seven years, due to the ravages of Alzheimer's disease, Evie was a resident at Arbor Springs in West Des Moines, where the Arbor Springs staff lovingly and attentively cared for her.

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Evelyn (Evie) Fitzgibbons

Devotion to family defined Evie's life. The mother of eight children, Evie was involved in all activities of her children, all of whom attended St. Patrick's grade school and Estherville High School. Evie was active in her community as a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout leader, a devoted member of the St. Patrick's Grade School PTA and an instructor in St. Patrick's Parish religious education endeavors. Evie was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, St. Patrick's Circle and many other clubs and organizations in Estherville, Okoboji and Longboat Key, Fla., including membership in the AAUW and the President's Club of the University of Iowa. Known as a gracious hostess and accomplished cook, Evie was equally at home in the kitchen as she was settling the disputes that arose on the ball diamond adjacent to the family home on Second Avenue South.